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Parliaments and Representatives

Democracy and the equal participation of men and women in the political arena are closely intertwined. No parliament or any decision-making body can claim to be representative without the participation of both men and women. As stated in the Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Member Parliaments in 1997, "The achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which they work in equality and complementarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences."

Recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of women in parliament, though the world average of less than 22 percent remains far from the goal of parity between women and men. The election of women to the highest positions of state and government in several countries has also contributed to the changing face of politics.

While the road to election is a difficult one, the challenges for women do not stop there. Once women enter parliament or other bodies, they are faced with many new challenges. Parliament is traditionally a male-oriented domain where the rules and practices have been written by men. It is, therefore, an ongoing challenge to transform parliament into a gender-sensitive environment, to ensure that actions are gender-sensitive and to guarantee that gender is mainstreamed throughout the legislature.

The iKNOW Politics Team welcomes you to our Library! We have the strong commitment of making available, for free, relevant resources and publications related to the political empowerment of women and support women politicians, practitioners, academics, experts, and the general public alike. Currently we have more than 1219 different resources, searchable below by keyword, type of resource and thematic. Interested in region or country-specific resources? Please visit our homepage and use our word map! Please send us your feedback and to connect@iknowpolitics.org. We hope you will enjoy the iKNOW Politics online library!

Michelle Rempel, the Conservative MP for Calgary Nose Hill, is again speaking out about the harassment and abuse Canada’s female politicians endure.
On Tuesday, she tweeted a picture of an anonymous and deeply unsettling letter she received attacking her for wearing clothes that expose her “bare neck.”
Between grammatical errors, the unnamed author suggests to a sitting Member of Parliament that her clothing is to blame if her ideas are not “well-respected around the world.”
Rempel is no stranger to calling for better treatment of women in politics. Last October, in an opinion column, she... Read more

Michelle Rempel, the Conservative MP for Calgary Nose Hill, is again speaking out about the harassment and abuse Canada’s female politicians endure.
On Tuesday, she tweeted a picture of an anonymous and deeply unsettling letter she received...

This mapping is made for the benefit of researchers who want to learn about Gender Studies in the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden on the theme of women/gender in public life. Most of the research literature - especially from the first decades of Nordic Women’s Studies/Gender Studies - was published in the native languages, and is therefore not included in this mapping. But with the development of Gender Studies, an increasing number of publications are available in English. Click here to access the full list. Read more

This mapping is made for the benefit of researchers who want to learn about Gender Studies in the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden on the theme of women/gender in public life. Most of the research literature - especially...

In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will inform their development agendas and policies over the next 15 years. Parliaments have a crucial role to play in advancing the integration of the SDGs and monitoring national progress, while both holding governments accountable for the goals they have subscribed to and also making sure that enabling laws are passed and budgets adopted.
It is within this framework that the Hungarian National Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union are jointly organizing a Regional Seminar... Read more

In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will inform their development agendas and policies over the next 15 years. Parliaments have a crucial role to play in advancing the...

Warning: This story contains foul language some readers will find offensive.
Calgary MLA Sandra Jansen drew a standing ovation on November 22, 2016 after she rose in the legislature and gave an impassioned speech denouncing the hateful and misogynistic comments she has faced since crossing the floor to join the NDP last week.
The first words out of the former Tory MLA's mouth likely raised eyebrows when she said: "What a traitorous bitch!"
The Calgary-North West MLA, first elected in 2012, has faced abuse and threats since she crossed the floor to join the government last week, and has since... Read more

Warning: This story contains foul language some readers will find offensive.
Calgary MLA Sandra Jansen drew a standing ovation on November 22, 2016 after she rose in the legislature and gave an impassioned speech denouncing the hateful and...

By Charlotte England
Israel’s parliament has banned politicians, other employees and visitors from wearing miniskirts and short dresses. The revised dress code at the Knesset applies immediately to everyone entering the building, officials said on Wednesday.
“Entrance to the Knesset is permitted only in appropriate attire,” stated a notice on the official Knesset website. It stipulates there should be no tank tops or spaghetti tops, cropped tops, shorts or three-quarter length trousers, ripped trousers, shirts with political slogans, short skirts or short dresses, flip-flops or open-back... Read more

By Charlotte England
Israel’s parliament has banned politicians, other employees and visitors from wearing miniskirts and short dresses. The revised dress code at the Knesset applies immediately to everyone entering the building, officials said on...

Over the last twenty years, the world has witnessed a dramatic rise in the number of women serving in elected and appointed political roles. Having more women in politics has been viewed in largely positive terms, as leading to attention to a wider range of policy issues, including those beneficial to women; inspiring greater interest and engagement in politics among women as a group, particularly younger women; and eroding historical associations between men and politics, generating broader transformations in gender roles.
Yet there is also growing awareness of backlash and resistance... Read more

Over the last twenty years, the world has witnessed a dramatic rise in the number of women serving in elected and appointed political roles. Having more women in politics has been viewed in largely positive terms, as leading to attention to a wider...

Mmamoloko Kubayi is a Member of the South African National Assembly and holds the position of Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services. This interview was conducted during the 135th IPU Assembly in Geneva. Read more

Mmamoloko Kubayi is a Member of the South African National Assembly and holds the position of Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services. This interview was conducted during the 135th IPU Assembly in Geneva.

50:50 Parliament launched #AskHerToStand, a campaign to address the overwhelming gender imbalance in Parliament by encouraging everyone to ask talented and inspirational women to stand as Parliamentary candidates.
50:50 Parliament is working with The Parliament Project, who can offer more support, advice and training at their fabulous workshops. If you’d like to attend a workshop, contact the Parliament Project at help@parliamentproject.com.
Click here for more details. Read more

50:50 Parliament launched #AskHerToStand, a campaign to address the overwhelming gender imbalance in Parliament by encouraging everyone to ask talented and inspirational women to stand as Parliamentary candidates.
50:50 Parliament is working with ...

By Laura Cohn
Safa Al Hashem will be the sole woman in Kuwait’s parliament as it struggles to diversify.
In its weekend election, the tiny oil-rich nation of Kuwait had the opportunity to substantially boost the share of women in its parliament. And like Americans earlier this month, its voters failed to deliver those big gains.
Fifteen women ran for the 50 open seats in Kuwait’s 65-member parliament, but only one won: Safa Al Hashem, whose reelection keeps her as the only woman in the legislative body. Her status as Kuwait’s sole female MP illustrates the legislative body’s struggle to... Read more

By Laura Cohn
Safa Al Hashem will be the sole woman in Kuwait’s parliament as it struggles to diversify.
In its weekend election, the tiny oil-rich nation of Kuwait had the opportunity to substantially boost the share of women in its parliament. And...

By Alexandra Topping
Women and equalities minister Justine Greening says there is a danger that female representation will flatline at current 30%.
Progress on the representation of women in Westminster is in danger of stalling, according to a group of MPs and campaigners.
“I feel really strongly about us having a 50:50 parliament here and I think it’s long overdue,” said Justine Greening, the education secretary and women and equalities minister, at an event organised by 50:50 Parliament, which campaigns for gender parity in Westminster.
“My big concern, to be absolutely frank, is that we’ve... Read more

By Alexandra Topping
Women and equalities minister Justine Greening says there is a danger that female representation will flatline at current 30%.
Progress on the representation of women in Westminster is in danger of stalling, according to a group...

Join 50:50 Parliament for their annual event in Parliament to mark the anniversary of Nancy Astor, the first woman MP to take her seat in the Commons in 1919.
This year 50:50 Parliament is launching #AskHerToStand; a campaign to address the gender imbalance in Parliament by encouraging everyone to ask the talented and inspirational women they know to stand as Parliamentary candidates.
Jess Phillips MP is hosting this event and Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, the Secretary of State for Education and Minster for Women and Equalities is on the panel.
The panel of MPs includes Caroline Lucas MP (... Read more

Join 50:50 Parliament for their annual event in Parliament to mark the anniversary of Nancy Astor, the first woman MP to take her seat in the Commons in 1919.
This year 50:50 Parliament is launching #AskHerToStand; a campaign to address the gender...

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) follows up its landmark study on sexism against women MPs with an initiative to advance gender-sensitive reforms in parliament.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, IPU launched an innovative approach that challenges parliaments on their functioning and working methods, and how these contribute to gender equality.
The publication, Evaluating gender sensitivity of parliaments: A self-assessment toolkit, is the first step of this initiative, and lays the groundwork to honestly assess women’s equal representation in... Read more

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) follows up its landmark study on sexism against women MPs with an initiative to advance gender-sensitive reforms in parliament.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, IPU launched...

While parliaments vary in their level of gender sensitivity, there is room for improvement across the globe. This toolkit is relevant to all parliaments, whatever political system they adhere to and whatever their stage of development. The self-assessment process is not intended to rank parliaments, but rather to help parliaments to identify their strengths and weaknesses in order to determine priorities for strengthening the institution.
The toolkit provides a framework for discussion among members of parliament, decision-makers in the parliamentary administration and parliamentary staff.... Read more

While parliaments vary in their level of gender sensitivity, there is room for improvement across the globe. This toolkit is relevant to all parliaments, whatever political system they adhere to and whatever their stage of development. The self-...

By Leigh Ann Caldwell
Republicans in the House and Senate have chosen their party's leaders for the next two years, and fewer women will be present in the top ranks.
Just one woman, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, was re-elected to her slot as Republican conference chair, will be in Republican House Leadership. That's down from the last Congress when three women held leadership positions. Two of the women decided not to run for re-election to their leadership posts, including one who wants to chair a committee.
In the Senate, the gender breakdown is even more drastic: No women will serve in any... Read more

By Leigh Ann Caldwell
Republicans in the House and Senate have chosen their party's leaders for the next two years, and fewer women will be present in the top ranks.
Just one woman, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, was re-elected to her slot as...

President-elect Donald J. Trump on Wednesday named Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina as his choice to become ambassador to the United Nations, adding to his prospective cabinet a former critic with whom he had sparred bitterly.
Ms. Haley’s name had previously been mentioned as a possible contender to become Mr. Trump’s secretary of state, and she met with Trump transition officials last week in New York.
Her selection was first reported by the The Post and Courier newspaper in Charleston, S.C. The news of Ms. Haley’s selection came after days of criticism of Mr. Trump’s early picks as a... Read more

President-elect Donald J. Trump on Wednesday named Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina as his choice to become ambassador to the United Nations, adding to his prospective cabinet a former critic with whom he had sparred bitterly.
Ms. Haley’s name had...

Today the global campaign Not Too Young To Run was launched at the first United Nations Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law taking place at United Nations Geneva.
The campaign, launched by a partnership consisting of the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the European Youth Forum (EYF) and the Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth & Advancement (YIAGA), aims to elevate the promotion of young people’s right to run for... Read more

Today the global campaign Not Too Young To Run was launched at the first United Nations Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law taking place at United Nations Geneva.
The campaign, launched by a partnership consisting of the Office of...

By Liz Ford
The IPU study of 55 female MPs in 39 countries reveals ‘widespread and under-reported problem’, with more than 20% subjected to acts of sexual violence.
Physical, sexual and psychological violence against female MPs is undermining democracy and efforts to end gender inequality, according to a study of parliamentarians around the world.
More than 40% of female MPs interviewed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) said they had received threats of death, rape, beatings or abduction while serving their terms, including threats to kidnap or kill their children.
More than a fifth... Read more

By Liz Ford
The IPU study of 55 female MPs in 39 countries reveals ‘widespread and under-reported problem’, with more than 20% subjected to acts of sexual violence.
Physical, sexual and psychological violence against female MPs is undermining...

While the influx of women into parliament is beneficial for representative democracy, it has tended to disrupt the established order, provoking some resistance. The recent the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) study on Gender-Sensitive Parliaments highlighted the fact that in entering the political domain women are shifting away from a role that confined them to the private sphere and entering a world where their legitimacy is sometimes challenged.
Such resistance can take different forms, such as sexist insults and remarks, intimidation or harassment. Directed against women in politics, such... Read more

While the influx of women into parliament is beneficial for representative democracy, it has tended to disrupt the established order, provoking some resistance. The recent the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) study on Gender-Sensitive Parliaments...

The spark that lit the Arab world aflame in 2010 was lit by Mohamed Bouazizi, a poor street vendor from the town of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, who set himself on fire after being mistreated by police. Or so the story goes.
But, there’s a lesser-known story about the origins of the revolution — a story about the determination of a group of Tunisian women in the mining town of Redeyef.
Even before the revolution, Ghazala Mhamdi was leading the fight for jobs, freedom and human rights against the corrupt regime of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali Ben Ali. Tunisia is now a fledgling democracy, and... Read more

The spark that lit the Arab world aflame in 2010 was lit by Mohamed Bouazizi, a poor street vendor from the town of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, who set himself on fire after being mistreated by police. Or so the story goes.
But, there’s a lesser-known...

By Samir Salama
The UAE will host the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament set to be held on December 12 and 13, said Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council.
“The world’s largest gathering of women Speakers of Parliament, co-hosted by the FNC and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), will be held under the overall theme of ‘United for Shaping the Future’ and will focus on the role that women Speakers can play in uniting parliamentarians around national and political interests to deliver sustainable prosperity and security in a rapidly changing world for present... Read more

By Samir Salama
The UAE will host the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament set to be held on December 12 and 13, said Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council.
“The world’s largest gathering of women Speakers of...

Georgia’s October 2016 parliamentary elections were characterized by an open political environment, a competitive campaign, overall results that were validated by credible observers, and some underlying problems that need concerted attention. NDI's final report draws attention to a set of recommendations that could contribute to greater public confidence in the approaching local and presidential elections.
The elections were characterized by an open political environment, a competitive campaign, overall results that were validated by credible observers, and some underlying problems that need... Read more

Georgia’s October 2016 parliamentary elections were characterized by an open political environment, a competitive campaign, overall results that were validated by credible observers, and some underlying problems that need concerted attention. NDI's...

Parliamentary elections in Morocco took place on the 7th of October, 2016. Around 16 million Moroccans of the country's 34 million were registered to vote. Candidates from 30 parties competed to win seats in the 395-member Chamber of Representatives, the lower house of parliament. The ruling Justice and Development Party remained the largest party, winning 125 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, a gain of 18 seats compared to the 2011 elections. Abdelillah Benkirane was reappointed Prime Minister by the King on 10 October.
A constitutional monarchy, Morocco's parliament is made... Read more

Parliamentary elections in Morocco took place on the 7th of October, 2016. Around 16 million Moroccans of the country's 34 million were registered to vote. Candidates from 30 parties competed to win seats in the 395-member Chamber of Representatives...

By Euan McKirdy, CNN
The highest -- and toughest -- glass ceiling remains unshattered.
This year's presidential election ultimately was not kind to Hillary Clinton, the first female presidential nominee for a major party, but down-ballot, some of the election's female candidates made history.
From the Senate and the House to statehouses across the country, female challengers won office. The US Senate will welcome four new female members.
"I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now,"... Read more

By Euan McKirdy, CNN
The highest -- and toughest -- glass ceiling remains unshattered.
This year's presidential election ultimately was not kind to Hillary Clinton, the first female presidential nominee for a major party, but down-ballot, some of...

By Erin Donelly
Oregon Democrat Kate Brown became the first openly LGBT person to be elected governor yesterday. Though Gov. Brown is married to a man, she identifies as a bisexual woman.
Gov. Brown was actually the incumbent in Oregon's gubernatorial race against Republican challenger Bud Pierce. She took over as governor in February 2015 following the resignation of scandal-plagued former Gov. John Kitzhaber; as secretary of state, she was first in line of succession. After last night, she has been officially elected to the office, and made history in the process.
Though she is the first... Read more

By Erin Donelly
Oregon Democrat Kate Brown became the first openly LGBT person to be elected governor yesterday. Though Gov. Brown is married to a man, she identifies as a bisexual woman.
Gov. Brown was actually the incumbent in Oregon's...

The former state official of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, was elected president of this country on past October 3rd in the parliament, Riigikogu. The sole candidate, 81 MPs out of 101 cast their votes in her support. Kaljulaid will serve as the first female president of Estonia, and she is the 17th woman to currently occupy a position of Head of State/Government.
Kaljulaid, a former member of the European Court of Auditors, was a non-partisan candidate to run for president. She was proposed as the only candidate after several failed rounds in the Estonian presidential elections.
Consensus... Read more

The former state official of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, was elected president of this country on past October 3rd in the parliament, Riigikogu. The sole candidate, 81 MPs out of 101 cast their votes in her support. Kaljulaid will serve as the first...

Polls show that Georgians would like to see more women in their parliament. Currently, women make up 12 percent of the Georgian legislature, behind the average of 25.8 percent for European countries and placing Georgia at 147 of 194 countries worldwide in women’s political representation. The infographic analysis reveals current numbers on women's participation as candidates in Georgia's October 8 parliamentary elections in Georgia.
Source: NDI Read more

Polls show that Georgians would like to see more women in their parliament. Currently, women make up 12 percent of the Georgian legislature, behind the average of 25.8 percent for European countries and placing Georgia at 147 of 194 countries...

As part of its ongoing effort to empower Jordanian women to more effectively engage in the political process, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) launched a program on “Enhancing Women’s Participation in Elections.” The program targeted women leaders from all 12 governorates and the Bedouin districts who expressed an interest in running in the parliament elections, held in September 2016. Lern more about the program “Enhancing Women’s Participation in Elections.” Read more

As part of its ongoing effort to empower Jordanian women to more effectively engage in the political process, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) launched a program on “Enhancing Women’s Participation in Elections.” The program targeted women...

NPR reports that if women formed a political party, they would need only two more seats to form a majority government in Iceland, after winning a record 30 seats in this weekend's national elections. Voter turnout was just under 80 percent — local media say that's a record low for Iceland.
With female candidates winning nearly half (48 percent) of the 63 seats, Iceland now has the "most equal Parliament in the world" without a quota system, according to the country's Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
While advocates for women's equality in Iceland will likely welcome Saturday's election results... Read more

NPR reports that if women formed a political party, they would need only two more seats to form a majority government in Iceland, after winning a record 30 seats in this weekend's national elections. Voter turnout was just under 80 percent — local...

Women's rights activists in Liberia welcomed a new law creating parliamentary seats reserved for women, young people and people with disabilities, in a country where women are poorly represented in politics despite having a female leader.
Liberia's House of Representatives passed the Equal Representation and Participation Bill on 29 September 2016, creating five seats for female politicians, one for youths and one for people with disabilities in the nation's lower house of parliament, according to the United Nations agency U.N. Women.
"The long-awaited passage of this bill is great news for... Read more

Women's rights activists in Liberia welcomed a new law creating parliamentary seats reserved for women, young people and people with disabilities, in a country where women are poorly represented in politics despite having a female leader.
Liberia's...

Party leader tells committee he backs all-female shortlists and is determined to have 50/50 representation by next election.
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has called for all-female shortlists to achieve equal representation in parliament and wants to aim for the same in public offices, as part of a series of wide-ranging measures to address the under-representation of women in public life.
Labour – which has 43% female MPs – risks losing 23 sitting MPs as a result of the 2018 Boundary Commission review, while more than 20 female Labour MPs could face deselection, according to the... Read more

Party leader tells committee he backs all-female shortlists and is determined to have 50/50 representation by next election.
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has called for all-female shortlists to achieve equal representation in parliament and...

In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, Tunisia was left with the formidable task of rebuilding a government in a deeply divided nation. The ousting of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and his authoritarian regime was, perhaps, the easy part. Two women, journalist Emna Ben Jemaa and Islamist politician Jawhara Ettis, publicly envision two different dreams for the shape of democracy in their nation. They may disagree on issues of free speech and religion in politics, but Ben Jemma and Ettis find common ground in an urgency of moving swiftly and surefootedly in the critical post-revolution years... Read more

In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, Tunisia was left with the formidable task of rebuilding a government in a deeply divided nation. The ousting of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and his authoritarian regime was, perhaps, the easy part. Two...

Estonia’s parliament has selected a new president who will be the country’s first female leader.
Kersti Kaljulaid, a European Union accountant, won Monday’s vote 81-0, with 20 members absent or abstaining. Her selection follows two failed votes and weeks of heated debate.
Kaljulaid, 46, will succeed the current president, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is stepping down next week after two five-year terms in the ceremonial post.
The choice of Kaljulaid, who works at the European court of auditors, became possible after the six parliamentary parties agreed to propose a political outsider as a single... Read more

Estonia’s parliament has selected a new president who will be the country’s first female leader.
Kersti Kaljulaid, a European Union accountant, won Monday’s vote 81-0, with 20 members absent or abstaining. Her selection follows two failed votes and...

Women’s rights campaigners in Jordan believe the country is slowly moving towards more progressive political representation after female MPs won 20 of 130 seats in parliamentary elections on 20 September, compared with 18 out of 150 in the previous parliament. The growing relevance of women in Jordanian politics, evident in campaign posters clustered at roundabouts and lining roadsides countrywide in the buildup to polling, was reflected in a contest that featured 252 female candidates, the highest number to date.
Under the new electoral law, passed last year, Jordan has been divided into 23... Read more

Women’s rights campaigners in Jordan believe the country is slowly moving towards more progressive political representation after female MPs won 20 of 130 seats in parliamentary elections on 20 September, compared with 18 out of 150 in the previous...

Extensive research shows that when women run for office, they perform just as well as men. Yet women remain severely under-represented in our political institutions. In this report, we argue that the fundamental reason for women’s under-representation is that they do not run for office. There is a substantial gender gap in political ambition; men tend to have it, and women don’t.
The results put forward in this report are based on the Citizen Political Ambition Panel Study, a research project the authors Richard L. Fox and Jennifer L. Lawless have been conducting over the course of the last... Read more

Extensive research shows that when women run for office, they perform just as well as men. Yet women remain severely under-represented in our political institutions. In this report, we argue that the fundamental reason for women’s under-...

Women parliamentarians from the Arab States region unite to make a difference for sustainable development. While the Arab States region is at a crucial point of transition in history, gender equality and inclusion must be on the top of the region’s priorities.
Rabat, 9 February 2016 – Over 150 women parliamentarians and international organizations representatives from twenty countries gather in a regional forum in Rabat (Morocco) on 9 and 10 February, 2016 to discuss a unified agenda towards a more gender-responsive policy in the region and the inclusion of women in politics. The Forum is... Read more

Women parliamentarians from the Arab States region unite to make a difference for sustainable development. While the Arab States region is at a crucial point of transition in history, gender equality and inclusion must be on the top of the region’s...

Though half of the world's population, women continue to be under-represented as voters, party leaders and elected officials. Just over 20 percent of parliamentarians worldwide are women. Yet evidence is strong that as more women are elected, countries experience higher standards of living; the priorities of families, women and minorities are addressed; and confidence in democracy goes up. In places as diverse as Croatia, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa and Timor-Leste, having more female lawmakers led to legislation related to anti-discrimination, domestic violence, inheritance and child... Read more

Though half of the world's population, women continue to be under-represented as voters, party leaders and elected officials. Just over 20 percent of parliamentarians worldwide are women. Yet evidence is strong that as more women are elected,...

The data in the table below has been compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Unionon the basis of information provided by National Parliaments by 1st August 2016. 193 countries are classified by descending order of the percentage of women in the lower or single House. Comparative data on the world and regional averages as well as data concerning the two regional parliamentary assemblies elected by direct suffrage can be found on separate pages. You can use the PARLINE database to view detailed results of parliamentary elections by country. Click here to access IPU’s webpage.
WORLD CLASSIFICATION... Read more

The data in the table below has been compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Unionon the basis of information provided by National Parliaments by 1st August 2016. 193 countries are classified by descending order of the percentage of women in the lower...

Due to its interest for the political empowerment of women, we transcribe the article published today by the Pacific Standard.
"Donna Brazile, the recently appointed acting chair of the Democratic National Committee promised to give a peek into a little-seen phenomenon of women in politics — their friendships, support, and mentorship. Brazile and her crew of powerful political insiders that she affectionately calls the “Colored Girls” — Clinton aide, Minyon Moore; chief executive of the Democratic convention, Leah Daughtry; director of the convention’s podium operations, Yolanda Caraway; and... Read more

Due to its interest for the political empowerment of women, we transcribe the article published today by the Pacific Standard.
"Donna Brazile, the recently appointed acting chair of the Democratic National Committee promised to give a peek into a...

Women’s caucuses are particularly useful for strengthening the voice of an under-heard constituency. They increase the confidence of female legislators, who often have less political experience than male colleagues, by providing a vehicle for mentoring new policymakers. Thus more broadly, women’s caucuses enhance democratic processes and strengthen legislatures.
This policy brief is produced by the Institute of Inclusive Security and it is part of a series derived from a three-year field program on the role of women in Rwanda. More broadly, these briefs provide policymakers, donors, and... Read more

Women’s caucuses are particularly useful for strengthening the voice of an under-heard constituency. They increase the confidence of female legislators, who often have less political experience than male colleagues, by providing a vehicle for...

Many Canadians are grappling with the prospect of changes to Canada’s First Past the Post electoral system. The current consultation phase represents an enormous opportunity to better understand the limitations and opportunities of electoral systems generally.
This overview generated by Equal Voice articulates the strengths and weaknesses of three categories of electoral systems that are being considered by parties, non-governmental organizations, and the media. It is designed to promote an enhanced understanding among Canadians of what is at stake for women in this process.
Women currently... Read more

Many Canadians are grappling with the prospect of changes to Canada’s First Past the Post electoral system. The current consultation phase represents an enormous opportunity to better understand the limitations and opportunities of electoral systems...